Twenty-eight years after Argentina ended his World Cup dream, Alan Shearer says the pain still burns — but he believes this England side can seize their chance. “I still feel pain of ’98 but this can be different for England,” Shearer wrote ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta.
England face Argentina for the first time in 21 years in a World Cup semi-final, with Lionel Messi — arguably the greatest player of all time — standing in their way. Shearer noted that Messi has never faced England before, calling the tie the “mouth-watering” one they wanted.
“Alan Shearer says 1998 World Cup pain still lingers but England can beat Argentina in semi-final.”
“They are two wins away from immortality,” Shearer said, recalling his own heartbreak in Saint-Etienne in 1998. He still remembers the Argentine players celebrating as both teams waited for buses after the last-16 tie, which England lost on penalties. “I still don’t think the best team won,” he admitted.
The BBC, which initially based World Cup coverage at its MediaCity hub in Salford using a digital New York backdrop, has now relocated its core broadcasting team to Atlanta. Presenter Mark Chapman and pundits Wayne Rooney, Micah Richards and Joe Hart will broadcast live from Atlanta Stadium, with Guy Mowbray and Shearer on commentary, ensuring an authentic matchday experience.
Shearer warned that tempers could boil over, adding he “would not be surprised at all if we saw another red card”. He also expressed concern about the refereeing and how VAR might impact the result. “What happened to us then should be a warning to England now,” he wrote.
Shearer’s message to the players is clear: ensure they are not talking like him about what could have been 28 years from now. “It feels like there has been a huge shift in the narrative,” he added.